Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment

Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Description

Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (or OCD) is a mental health disorder in which teens suffer from persistent agitating thoughts (called compulsions) which cause repeated compulsive behaviors. Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder and can become so agitating and overwhelming to teens that it prevents them from being able to function and behave healthily.

Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms

Teens that suffer from OCD experience a cause-and-effect cycle between their aggravating thoughts and their compulsive behaviors. Generally speaking, teens experience anxious thoughts and feelings on a consistent basis. In order to try to gain relief from those thoughts, they believe that they must perform a certain or behavior. This process is very frustrating to teens because even in cases when they’re aware of the strangeness of their thoughts and behaviors, and even when they make sincere efforts to stop, they continue to obsess over, and perform, the compulsive behaviors. Although sometimes the compulsive behavior may provide some relief, it’s always short-lasting and leads to teens once again repeating the cycle.

One of the ways in which Teen OCD disrupts multiple areas of the teens’ lives is because often the behaviors are inappropriate and/or disruptive. In these instances, teens might be unable to conduct themselves properly within their responsibilities and their relationships, such as classrooms, social gatherings, and family interactions.

Some of the most common obsessive thoughts of Teen OCD include:

morality

cleanliness,

sex

Some of the most common compulsive behaviors include:

locking doors (and/or other acts related to fear of harming themselves or others)

touching

counting

questioning

cleaning (such as washing hands)

spending

hoarding (related to extreme fear of losing any possession)

Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment

Teen Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment looks different for each teen but usually involves a combination of behavioral and talk therapy. During treatment, therapists work with teens to help them evaluate the obsession/compulsion process and try to break it down into identify the triggers and stressors that cause and aggravate the process. At the same time, our therapists work with teens to help them address and process what kinds of other stresses are present, which are likely the roots of this more outward anxiety and behavior. At Paradigm San Francisco we believe that this deeper, introspective work is crucial to ensuring that teens heal and recover in the most thorough manner possible.

While therapists work with teens in talk therapy, they also help teens to develop strategies and tools to manage their anxiety and compulsions. This may include a number of different behavioral strategies, including relaxation techniques as well as stress-reduction activities, such as:

Paradigm San Francisco

Paradigm San Francisco is a leading adolescent treatment center that provides residential treatment for a number of different mental health and/or substance abuse disorders, including teen obsessive compulsive disorder treatment. At Paradigm San Francisco, all treatment plans are designed holistically and individually, in order to treat and support the well-being of teens in all aspects of their lives. Paradigm San Francisco is one of the top teen treatment centers in the U.S.